Airplane mechanism



H. WGNER EFAL AIRPLANE MECHANISM Filed .my 7, 1959 s sheets-sheet 1 March 24, 1942.

H. WAGNER 'E1-AL l 2,277,173

AIRPLANE MEGHANISM/ Filed July 7. 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MarCh 24, 1942.

AIRPLANE MECHAN ISM Filed'July 7, 1959 5 sheets-sheet 3 Fig@ Patented Mar. 24, 1942 AIRPLANE MECHANISM Herbert Wagner, Hans Gropler and -Georg Backhaus,

Dessau, Germany. assignors to Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke Aktiengesellschaft, Dessau, Germany, a corporation of (ier-v many Application July 7, 1939, SerlalNo. 283,252 I n Germany July 11, 1938 (Cl. 24H0) 24 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in airplane mechanisms, and refers more particularly to a mechanism by which suction is exerted upon the skin layer of air adjacent one portion of an airplane and this air is discharged into the skin layer adjacent another portion of the plane. Moreover the mechanism isusually intended for multi-motored planes to withdraw the skin layer of air from the'upper surfaces of the wings and discharge' it rearwardly into the skin layer beneath their lower surfaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide such an airplane mechanism wherein a plurality of.

pumping devices are connected to a common pas- A sage through which air flows from suction inlets to discharge outlets, so that upon failure of one or more of the pumping devices a substantially uniform suction is still maintained upon the entire skin layer upon which the mechanism is intended to operate- For instance, if air is being exhausted from zones of the skin layer on the upper wing surfaces across the entire wing spread, such acondition will still prevail even after failure of one or more of the pumping devices, thereby eliminating the possibility of the occurrence of undesired torques about the longitudinal axis of the airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism with shut-oil valves, preferablyautomatically operated, for preventing any undesired air ilow through the passage from the from suitable mations arund the' periphery of parts which, without such an arrangement, would be unsuited for the creation of such transverse lifting forces. This invention, on the-contrary,

aims to provide means for exhausting and dis.

charging air eillciently particularly across the wing spread of airplanes the airfoils and ilaps of which are of various forms, and refers to the provision of control means transversely. of the longitudinal axis of the plane for varying the volume of air exhausted across thewings symmetrically on both sides oi the said longitudinal axis. Moreover the control means are so arranged in each zone of the wing structure that a greater volume of air is exhausted and discharged where ilaps occur. It is also particularly advantageous to so arrange the control means that less air is exhausted from adjacent 'the fuselage than from zones of the wing structure more remote therefrom. The air-flow is more disturbed near the fuselage when the angle of incidence is in- A creased and thereafter no downward flow ot air occurs. Thus the tail surfaces are acted upon I which may be of different forms, should be lodischarge outlets, or from the passage through t the suctioninlets in the event of failure of one or more of the pumping devices; moreover the mechanism should be so formed that eddies do not occur therein and, for purposes of simplicity of construction, we prefer that the shut-oil valves be located, where discharge from the mechanism occurs.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism into which air is drawn from the upper skin layer and discharged rearwardly and downwardly through outlets formed through the lower side of the wing structure into the lower skin layer to obtain both reduced air resistance and increased propelling force. To obtrolling suitable suction lines having inlets which are spaced longitudinallyof an airplane 'in parts thereof of diilerent cross sectional forms which are provided to produce transverse lifting forces,

the purpose being to cause a circulation ilow and 'create a lifting force by means of exhausting air cated adjacent the exhaust inlets lto avoid constrictions within the passage through which the air passes.

The construction of our invention is more fully described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l illustrates a plan view of a multi-mo tored airplane, wherein each motor operates a separate pumping device,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line II-JI of Figure l,

Figure 3 Iis an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, showing a modified shut-oil.' valve arrangement,

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically the operation oi' this valve,

Figure 5 is a perspective view, partly section, oi' a portion of a wing structure showing.

control means for varying the volume of the air exhausted in different zones, and

Figure 6 is a similar perspective view showing a modied arrangement of the control means.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, motors l, 2, I and 4 each operate one of the pumping devices 5, 6,'1 and l respectively. In

this instance it is assumed that suction is exertedl upon the air skin leyeron the upper sides. o! the ,is prevented.' It will again be notedithat shape of the valves Ilais such that the the pumping devices 5, i, 1 and I respectively is l0 .provided so that all the latter exhaust air from the said common e I.. -In each .ofthe branches II, I2, I3 and Il, adjacent its discharge end a shut-oi! valve I5 is arranged which, in the event of failure of the pumping device in that branch, is automatically closed. in the present instance by a spring 2i; While inthe eventof failure of one or more of the pumping devices the'volume of air exhausted from .the low pressure side of .the wing is reduced, this reduction tions of the wing spread ladjacent apertures l, and thus no undesired torques result about the longitudinal axis of the airplane.

Moreover it 'will also be noted that .the valves NIl operate as guides, or detIecting-vanes, in th`at theydeiiect the discharged into the skin layer along the lower wing surface.

Inthe modification showninFigures'3 and .a-` somewhatvaried formV of shut-ofi valve arrangement is shown. In the branch a plurality of shut-oi! valves lia, each formed like aguide vane, are each provided with a flexed extension AI1 which is pivoted at It upon the wing structure 2-I. The extensions Il are also pivoted to a rod Il one extremityof which isconnected by a .spring I I to one wall of the branch. Normally this spring. retains thevalves Ila inthe closed positions shown in Figure 3,'but whenjair. is being .discharged from the vbranch the air pressure causes pivotal movement of the valves in the Y' .direction of the arrow R topositions indicated at VvIt!) (Figure 4). where onevalve strikes a stop 2l by which its further pivotal movement is prell'branches' '2o remainssubstantially proportionate over the por- 2,277,173' wings and `discharge occurs 'into the'skin layer -l .f .sementene lower sides of the' wings. sperma l, the cross sectional area of which'constitutes than the netting Id so that less air is exhausted` through the former than the latter. t

In this manner the cross sectional area of the apertures through which air is exhausted is uti- 5 lized as'the control' means, thereby eliminating the necessity for additional vequipment to serve this purpose.

Whilein the foregoing preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and shown,

tible to 'such further alterations and modications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

`llhatweclaimis:

.1. An airplane mechanism of the character described comprising a passage provided through a portion of an airplane, said passage having laterally disposed apertures therethrough opening to the outer air, a plurality of branches extending from the, passage each opening into the outer air, a separate pumping -means for. forcing air through each branch, and valvemeans in each branch operable to prevent a reversal of air iiow upon failure of the pumping means for means. 2. .An airplane mechanism of the character described comprising the 'combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for operating each valve means is automatic and is adapted to close its valve meansupon failure ofthe pumping means cooperating with the branch in which that valve means operates.

`v3. 'An airplane mechanism lof the character described comprising the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve means in each branch consists of a plurality of separate valves.

4.'An airplane mechanism of thecharacter described .comprising the combination set forth n in claim 1, wherein a separate driving means is providedfor'each pumping means.

5e An airplane mechanism of the Jcharacter described comprlsing the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for operating each vented In the event of failures:- tne. pmnpinggu We mw com 0f a Spring.

device (notvshown) operating inpthat branch.

closed positions lby ethe' spring yIl flow from the underside of the wing tntojthat branch if; 11' discharged .rearwardb along the skin' adjacent the underside of the wing 2| 'and-is sub'- formed by the cross sectional area of the apertures sa in the wing sone IIa than through the apertures Ib in the wing zone IIb. Therefore which open into the 'common passage I'l must be uniform throughout the length of the latter.

Similarly in FigureG, and for the' same reason,

-one wall of thepassage'l. consistsin part of sections of wirevnetting 'Ic and idfand sincethe wingzoneIlqisnearertothefuselagethanthe wingzonetlbthewirenettinglcisofiinemesh 'f5 comprising a e extending transe5 layer.

6. An airplane mechanism of the character described comprising a passage extending transy so outer air, aplumlity of branches extending from said e each opening at its extremity into the open air, a separate pumping means in each branch adapted to exhaust air from the skin layer into which the passage apertures open and 55 t0 discharge said air hrllgh the extremity of its branch into the skin layer adjacent thereto, and valve means in each branch operable to prevent a reversal of airilow'therethrough upon failure.

of the pumping means therein.

g "l. an airplane mechanism of the character described comprising the combination set forth in fclaim 6, whereinthe valve means are s o formed that they are adaptedto deflect the discharged airrrearwardly and downwardly into the skin 8. An airplane` mechanism ofthe character described comprising the combination set forth in Aclainr 6, wherein the vaive'means in each branch consists ofaplurality of valves having flexed por- 'loftions pivoted on the wing structure, said valves being shaped to deilectrearwardly air passing out of the branch, and spring -means adapted to closeallthevalves.

e m of the character deit`is understood thatthe invention' is suscepthat branch, and means for operating each valve versely across the wings of an airplane having spacedopenings therethrough in communication with the air skin layer adjacent the upperl sides of the wings, means controlling the volume of air flowing into the passage' symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the airplane to admit a lesser volume near the fuselage and a larger volume at points more remote'therefrom, branches extending Vfrom the passage opening into the skinlayer adjacent the undersides' of the wings, pumping means for exhausting air through the passage openings and discharging it through the branch openings, and means preventing a reversal of airiiow.

10. An airplane mechanism of thev character described comprising the combination set forth in claim 9, wherein separate pumping means are provided for exhausting air through each branch and all the pumping means are adapted to draw air into the passage through all the openings in the latter.

l1. An airplane mechanism of the character described comprising the combination set forth in claim 9, wherein the means for controlling the volume of airowing into the passage consists in the provision of dierently sized openings in the latter.

12. In an airplane the combination of a wing, a main air passage within the wing, said passage including openings communicating with the exterior surface of said wing, a plurality of motors, a pump driven byeach motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main passage, an exhaust passage from each pump communicating with the exterior of said wing, a valve in each exhaust passage, and means for actuating each valve.

13. In an airplane the combination of a wing, a main air passage within the wing, said passage including openings communicating with the exy a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage f l 3 terior surface of said wing, a plurality of motors,

between each pump and said main passage, an exhaust passage from each pump communicating 'with the exterior of said wing. a valve plate pivoted at the opening of each exhaust passage, and yieldable means retaining each plate in closed position in the absence of exhaust pressure in the passage.

i7. In an airplane the combination of a wing,

` a main air passage within the wing, said passage including openings communicating with the ex with the exterior of said'wing, a valve plate pivoted at the opening of each exhaust passage, and yieldable means retaining each plate in lclosed position in the absence of exhaust pressure withi in the passage, said plate being so pivoted as to direct, when open, exhaust air passing therethrough rearwardly along the surface of the wing.

18. In an airplane the combination of a fuselage and a wing, a main air passage extending longitudinally within the wing, said passage including separate openings of different areas coin-y municating with-the exterior surface of the wing, said openings'being of progressively greater area from the fuselage outwardly, a plurality of motors, a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage between each pump land said main air passage, and an exhaust passage from each pump communicating with the exterior of said wing.

19. In an airplane the combination of a fuselage and a wing, a main air passage extending longitudinally 'within the wing, said passage including separate openings of vdifferent areas comterlor surface of said wing, a plurality of motors,

a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main passage, an

exhaust passage from each pump communicating with the exterior of said wing, a valve in the opening of each exhaust passage, each valve being so constructed .and arranged as to direct, when open, exhaust air passing therethrough rearwardly along the surface of the wing, and means for actuating each valve.

14. In an airplane the combination of a wing. a main air passage within the wing, said passage including openings communicating with the exterior surface of said wing, a plurality of motors, a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main passage, an exhaust passage from each. pump communicating with the exterior of said wing, and a valve in each exhaust passage, said valve being so constructed and arranged as to close automatically lib in the absence ofexhaust-air pressure in the passage.

15. In an airplane the combination of a wing,

16. In an airplane the combination of a wing,

a main air passage within the wing, said passage including openings communicating with'the ex' municating with the exterior surface of the wing, said openings being of progressively greater area from the fuselage outwardly, a plurality of m'otors, a pump driven'by each motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main air passage, an exhaust passage from each pump communicating with-the exterior of said wing, a .valve in each exhaust passage. and means for actuating each valve.

20. In an airplanelthe combination of a fuselage and a wing, a main air passage extending longitudinally within the wing, said passage including separate openings of different areas communicating with the exterior surface of the wing, said openings being `of progressively greater area from the fuselage outwardly. a plurality of motors, a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main air passage, an exhaust passage from each pump communicating with the exterior of said wing, and a pressure-sensitive one-way valve closing the opening of leach exhaust passage.

2l. In an airplane the combination of afuselage and a pair of wings, a main air passage extending longitudinally across the interior of' both wings, said ypassage including openings communicating with the exterior surface of said wing, a plurality of motors, a pump driven by each motor, an intake passage between each pump and said main passage, and an exhaust passage from each pump communicating with the exterior of said wing 22.. In an airplane the combination of a fuselage and a pair of wings, a main air passageextending longitudinally across the vinterior of both passageiromeach wing being of progressively greater area from the 7,

fuselage outwardly, a plurality of motors, a pump driven by each motor; an intake passage between ,each pump andisaid main passage, and an ex' of different areas communicating' with the exte riorrs'urface ofthe wing, the openings ineach leachpumpand said main rau exhaust pump communicatlnglwlth the exterior of said wing, a valve in eachl exhaust 1 passage. and means for actuating each valve.

haust passage from each pump communicating f with the exterior of said wing.

23. In an airplane the'eombinaticn of a fuse-7 lage and a pair o; a mainair e ex,

tending longitudinally across the interior of both wings, said passage including separate openings of dierentareas communicating with the exte- 24..In an airplane thecombination of a wing, amainairpassagewithinthewing,saidpassage 'including openings communicating with the up- Der exterior surface oi' said wing, a plurality of v motors, a pump driven by each motor, an intake between each pump and said main e, an

l exhaust passage from each pump communicating 'with the exterior of said wing adjacentvthe lmder J surface thereof, a valve in each exhaust e,

and means tor actuating each valve.

GEORG BAGKHAUS.v

T WAGNER: 

